The Florida Department of Health (FLDOH) reported Tuesday on the confirmation of the first sexually transmitted Zika case in 2017. The case was confirmed in Pinellas County.

Pinellas CountyImage/David Benbennick

While the individual had no travel, their partner recently traveled to Cuba and was ill with symptoms consistent with Zika. Both tested positive for Zika. The department notified mosquito control and appropriate mosquito reduction activities are taking place.

FLDOH reminds to remember Zika can also be transmitted sexually and to take precautions if you or your partner traveled to an area where Zika is active. In addition, there is no evidence of ongoing transmission of Zika by mosquitoes in any area of Florida.

To date in 2017, Florida has reported a total of 118 Zika virus cases, including 6 locally acquired infections exposed in 2016, tested in 2017.

Zika fever is a mild febrile illness caused by a mosquito-borne virus similar to those that cause dengue and West Nile virus infection.

Zika virus has been linked to serious birth defects, including microcephaly, when contracted by expectant mothers during pregnancy. Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly.